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Hi,
I have just started searching for loose diamonds and I’m struggling to narrow down my list. I have been using James Allen the most but I’m open to other website suggestions. Below are my ideal parameters:
– Solitaire round with yellow gold band
– Budget $4,500-5,500
– Carat 1.15-1.30
– Color J, (I read your article on going to a K with a yellow band?)
– As close to an ideal cut as possible, I want it to sparkle!
Thank you so much in advance for your help! I have about 10 diamonds bookmarked on the James Allen website and now every diamond is starting to look the same.
Here are my recommendations:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.15-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5463516?a_aid=dmnd1357
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-k-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-50185?a_aid=dmnd1357
I can comment on the diamonds you found and liked the most if you want.
Thank you for your assistance and recommendations. I have some questions and concerns below on the diamonds you suggested.
I noticed that you are suggesting a K colored diamond and the fluorescence is none, I’m concerned that the diamond will appear yellow with that combination. Also, I’m concerned with purchasing anything lower than a VS1, can you provide more of an explanation on the clarity.
I included the links to the diamonds I have found, what are your thoughts?
In the case of rounds, we suggest sticking with J+ stones for white gold solitaire settings and K+ diamonds for yellow gold solitaire settings. It won’t look any yellow in this type of a setting because the color will be absorbed by the darker ring (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/color/). However, if you want to go with a yellow gold setting with white gold prongs, then I would stick with J+ colored diamonds.
The medium fluorescence/strong fluorescence may help the diamond look a tad whiter. Clarity-wise, we search for eye-clean SI2+ diamonds. Sometimes you can find a perfect SI diamond, sometimes the first eye-clean option is a VS stone (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/clarity/). Bear in mind that these videos are extremely magnified, I don’t think you’ll see any imperfections in person. We always recommend zooming out to 10x and checking the diamond.
As for the diamonds you found, I wouldn’t recommend any of them. We don’t recommend IGI certified diamonds. They are looser in grading than GIA or AGS (https://www.diamonds.pro/education/igi/). GIA and AGS are the most consistent and reliable labs.
Thanks so much for the clarification. I am planning on having a gold ring with platinum prongs so I would like to focus on J colored diamonds.
If there are any other diamonds that you would recommend, feel free to let me know.
Thank you, I’m going to take some time to review all of the diamonds we have discussed and I’ll follow up with you.
…
So, I think we are going to purchase this diamond:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.11-carat-j-color-vvs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6310648?a_aid=dmnd1357
…
We placed the diamond on hold last night and will be moving forward with purchasing it soon.
That’s great news!
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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